Ryan Castle, previously of a Delacombe address, made a bail application at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Police informant Detective Senior Constable Daniel Milne told the court police will allege Castle had been drinking when he threw a chair at poker machine in Alfredton before stealing and driving a bobcat 6.5 kilometres through Ballarat. 

Detective Senior Constable Milne told the court Castle was at the Ballarat Golf Club sitting in front of a poker machine drinking beer for 30 minutes at 11pm on Thursday, April 6.

He said Castle threw a chair and smashed it against the poker machine a number of times causing $2000 damage to the machine.

The court then heard when a female staff member attempted to call the police Castle said: “You really want to call the cops you big fat slut?” and threw a bowl of lollies at her and punched a window.

Detective Senior Constable Milne said Castle walked across the road to the Bell Tower Motel where he found a bobcat on the back of a truck. Castle is alleged to have located the keys to the bobcat and driven it off the truck and travelled for 6.5 kilometres to Darling Street 

Police members stopped the accused and asked him for his name and ID.

Detective Senior Constable Milne said Castle complied to the instructions.

The court then heard Castle drove the bobcat towards the police car and told officers he would flip the police car with the bobcat and took off along Adair Street. 

Castle is alleged to have entered the carpark of the Ballarat and Trotting Club and driven through several fences causing $20,000. The court heard the track will not operated for some time. 

Castle then allegedly fled on foot from the bobcat.

The K9 unit and airwing were called but Castle could not be located.

The court heard Castle handed himself into police at 11am the following day where he “appeared hungover”.

He made no comment during his interview but the court heard he admitted to a drinking problem, has had a drug problem and was struggling with his mental health. 

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sam Young said police opposed bail as Castle was deemed an unacceptable risk to the community, but Castle’s defence argued if certain conditions were listed bail should be granted. 

Castle’s father told the court he would ensure his son stayed with him at his Lucas address. He said there was no alcohol in the house and he would have no hesitation reporting Castle if he broke bail conditions.

Castle’s employer of 18-months told the court Castle  was his “right hand man” and an employee who was second in charge on site and was “relied heavily on”.

Magistrate Clive Alsop said he had rarely heard two more powerful witness statements in support of a bail applicant during his career and believed Castle had the support of his father, other family members and his employer.

As a condition of his bail Castle must report to the Ballarat Police station between 9am and 8pm daily, must not consume alcohol, attend a licensed premises or be within 100 metres of the Ballarat Golf Course. He will return to court on May 22.